Newspapers in Education

Common Core State StandardL.CCS.1/2/3/4 Grades 6-12: Video of a current news event is presented for discussion to encourage student participation, but also inspire the use of evidence to support logical claims using the main ideas of the video. Students must analyze background information provided about a current event, draw out the main ideas and key details, and review different opinions on the issue. Then, students should present their own claims using facts and analysis for support.

01/10/2011

House Reading of Constitution is a 'Civics Lesson'

Day two of the Republican-led 112th Congress opened with a rather unusual event. House members took turns reading aloud the 4,500-word Constitution -- a first in the chamber's 221-year history. It got mixed reaction in the press.

■Class discussion: How much do you know about the Constitution? Can you complete the sentence: "We the People of the United States ..." How important is the Constitution to the House of Representatives? Should every new Congress from now on open with a reading of the Constituion to remind members of its significance? Why or why not?